Tragedy in Blue Spring Cave: The Final Dive of Rhys Dervan
| Incident Location | Diver Full Names (deceased only) |
|---|---|
| Florida, Jackson Blue Spring | Rhys Dervan |
It was a warm Monday afternoon at Blue Spring State Park, June 2015. The water was clear enough to see the bottom, the sunlight dancing like silver coins across the rocks.
Rhys Dervan, 56, and his 16-year-old son were enjoying a day of diving. They had gone down together earlier, exploring the calm, cool depths. Their diving gear was in good shape — shiny tanks, snug diving suits, clean diving masks. Rhys had been diving for years, and his son trusted him completely.
After one dive, the son surfaced, shaking water from his mask.
“I’m done for today,” he said.
Rhys adjusted the straps on his diving mask and replied, “I’ll just do one more. I’ll meet you back here.”
It was supposed to be quick. A short trip into the mouth of the cave. Nothing risky. At least, that’s what they both thought.
The Wait
The boy sat on a bench by the shore, drying off. He could still see bubbles from other divers breaking the surface. An hour passed.
He kept glancing toward the water, expecting to see his father’s head appear, the diving suit glistening in the sun. But the ripples kept fading without him.
He tried to push away the worry, telling himself his dad might just be exploring a little longer. But the thought wouldn’t go away — he’s been too long.
“Dad should have been back by now…” he whispered.
The park felt different now. The cheerful chatter of other visitors seemed far away. Every shadow in the water looked like something it wasn’t.
The Search Begins
Finally, he walked to the ranger station, his voice shaking as he told them his father hadn’t returned.
Rescue divers were called in immediately. They worked quickly and methodically:
- Checking diving tanks for full capacity.
- Securing lights to their helmets.
- Resetting diving computers for the search mission.
- Reviewing the cave map.
One of them, a veteran diver, looked at the boy and said softly, “We’ll find him.”
With a splash, they slipped beneath the surface and swam toward the cave entrance. The sunlight faded behind them. The water grew darker, colder.
The Cave
The cave at Blue Spring is narrow in places. Its walls press close, and silt hangs in the water like drifting smoke. Visibility drops fast.
The divers moved in slow, careful bursts. Their lights cut through the dark, revealing pale rocks and tight corners. Then, not far inside, they saw something.
A shape lying still against the cave floor.
It was Rhys. His diving mask was still in place, his diving suit rippling slightly with the current. His tank gauge showed zero — he had run out of air. The diving computer strapped to his wrist recorded the truth: his dive had lasted longer than he’d planned, and he hadn’t started his ascent in time.
Final Equipment Readings
| Equipment | Final Reading | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diving Computer | ~45 min dive | No sign of ascent in last minutes |
| Diving Tank Gauge | 0 PSI | Tank completely depleted |
| Depth Reading | ~20 ft | Just inside cave entrance |
The Recovery
The rescue divers moved quickly but respectfully. They secured Rhys and began the slow swim back to the surface. The water felt heavier somehow, as though it knew what had happened.
Onshore, the boy waited. When he saw the divers emerge, his eyes searched for movement in his father’s body. But Rhys didn’t move.
One rescuer placed a hand on his shoulder and quietly shook his head.
Lessons in the Depths
Investigators believe Rhys miscalculated his remaining air. Alone in the cave, without a partner to check his readings, the minutes slipped by unnoticed until his diving tanks ran dry.
Blue Spring’s beauty hides danger. The water is calm, the entrance inviting — but its caves are tight, dark, and unforgiving.
The story of Rhys Dervan is a reminder:
- Always check your diving gear twice.
- Trust your diving computer — and act before it’s too late.
Even the most experienced diver can underestimate the deep. The water does not forgive mistakes.
